2. Chapter 5,6,7 U.S. Government Chap 5 (pg 116-123;134-135; 140-142. Chap 6 (pg 164-172) Chap 7 (pg 178-186;196-202)

3. What Is a Party? A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. The American parties are election-oriented. A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. The American parties are election-oriented. The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties. The two major parties in American politics are the Republican and Democratic parties. A few minor Third Parties exist in our political system A few minor Third Parties exist in our political system

4. What Do Parties Do? Nominate Candidates—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. Nominate Candidates—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates. Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other candidates. Govern—Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party. Govern—Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm allegiance to a party. Act as a Watchdog—Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election. Act as a Watchdog—Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election.

5. Why a Two-Party System? The Force of Tradition. America has a two- party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them. The Force of Tradition. America has a two- party system because it always has had one. Minor parties, lacking wide political support, have never made a successful showing, so people are reluctant to support them. The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts and the winner-take-all system favor the two major parties. The Electoral System. Certain features of government, such as single-member districts and the winner-take-all system favor the two major parties. Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters and are moderates. Most citizens are neither extremely liberal or extremely conservative. Ideological Consensus. Most Americans have a general agreement on fundamental matters and are moderates. Most citizens are neither extremely liberal or extremely conservative.

6. Figure 8.1 Distribution of Political Views Most voters are “middle of the road” voters

7. Multiparty Systems Advantages Provides broader representation of the people. Provides broader representation of the people. More responsive to the will of the people. More responsive to the will of the people. Give voters more choices at the polls. Give voters more choices at the polls. Disadvantages Cause parties to form coalitions, which can dissolve easily. Cause parties to form coalitions, which can dissolve easily. Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government. Failure of coalitions can cause instability in government.

8. Party Membership Patterns Factors that can influence party membership: Family Age Occupation Religion Economic Status Major Events

9. Why Minor Parties Are Important Minor parties play several important roles: “Spoiler Role” Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is from a splinter party. Ralph Nader had this effect in the 2000 election and probably cost Gore the election. Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is from a splinter party. Ralph Nader had this effect in the 2000 election and probably cost Gore the election.Critic Minor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues. Minor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues.Innovator Often, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the two major parties. Often, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the two major parties.

10. Hanging Chad

11. The Decentralized Nature of the Parties Why? The party out of power lacks a strong leader. The party out of power lacks a strong leader. The federal system distributes powers widely, in turn causing the parties to be decentralized. The federal system distributes powers widely, in turn causing the parties to be decentralized. The nominating process pits party members against one another because only one person can chosen to be the party’s presidential candidate. The nominating process pits party members against one another because only one person can chosen to be the party’s presidential candidate. Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented.

12. The National Convention The Congressional Campaign Committees The National Chairperson The National Committee National Party Machinery All four elements of both major parties work together loosely to achieve the party’s goals.

13. The Party Organization: Those who run and control the party machinery. They work year-round to promote the party. The Party in the Electorate Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates. The Voters and largest component of the party The Party in Government Those who hold office in the government and belong to that party. The Three Components of the Party

14. Affiliation is weakening and party organizations are becoming less powerful. The Future of Major Parties For voters: More people are unwilling to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Republicans”. The number of “independents” is increasing. More people are unwilling to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Republicans”. The number of “independents” is increasing. Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election For candidate: Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization

15. Political Participation and Awareness in America

16. Important Question Chapter 5 1. Why does the U.S. have a two party system? 2. How does a multiparty system differ from our two party system? 3. How can a Third Party impact the Democratic or Republican party?

17. Nonvoters (idiot) Millions of Americans do not vote when elections are held. Millions of Americans do not vote when elections are held. Only 50.1 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2000 presidential election, and only 46.3 percent of the electorate voted for the members of the House of Representatives. Only 50.1 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2000 presidential election, and only 46.3 percent of the electorate voted for the members of the House of Representatives. Voter turnout significantly decreases in off-year elections, that is congressional elections held in years when there is no presidential election. Voter turnout significantly decreases in off-year elections, that is congressional elections held in years when there is no presidential election.

18. Why People Do Not Vote Most nonvoters do not vote because Most nonvoters do not vote because voting is in some way inconvenient,voting is in some way inconvenient, they do not believe that their vote will make a difference, orthey do not believe that their vote will make a difference, or they distrust politics and political candidates.they distrust politics and political candidates.

19. Sociological Factors Voter preferences can’t be predicted by just one sociological factor. Voter opinion is a combination of all of these factors and more. Income and Occupation Education Gender and Age Religious and Ethnic Background Geography Family and Other Groups

20. Voters’ perceptions of their party, the candidates, and the issues significantly affects their voting. Psychological Factors Party Identification The loyalty of people to a particular political party is the single most significant and lasting predictor of how a person will vote. Candidates and Issues Candidates and issues are two short-term factors that can influence even the most loyal Democrat or Republican. People may vote out of their chosen party if they dislike a candidate or the party’s stand on a particular issue.

21. 1. Why do some people not vote? 2. Generally speaking, who is most likely to be a Democrat; a Republican?

22. Chapter 7 Steps To Be Elected (President) 1. Announcing one’s candidacy or self announcement. 2. Gaining the nomination, in which the field of candidates is narrowed. Candidates campaign in: Primaries (January – August) Funded by private contributions Caucuses – meetings of party members to decide which candidate to support (who gets delegates) 3. Winning Nomination in August at the National Party Convention 4.General election, the regularly scheduled election in November where voters make the final choice of officeholder.

23. Types of Primaries Closed Primary (New Mexico) Only declared party members can vote. Closed Primary (New Mexico) Only declared party members can vote. Open Primary (Texas) Any qualified voter can take part. Can select either Democrat or Republican ballot Open Primary (Texas) Any qualified voter can take part. Can select either Democrat or Republican ballot Blanket Primary Qualified voters can vote for any candidate, regardless of party (can mix party choices) Blanket Primary Qualified voters can vote for any candidate, regardless of party (can mix party choices)

24. Primaries Across the United States Types of primaries in State Elections, 2000

25. The National Convention In July/August, the two major political parties hold their national convention. In July/August, the two major political parties hold their national convention. Delegates gained in the caucuses and primaries cast their vote for the candidate of their choiceDelegates gained in the caucuses and primaries cast their vote for the candidate of their choice Party platform is developedParty platform is developed The party’s Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates are confirmedThe party’s Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates are confirmed

26. Elections are primarily regulated by State law, but there are some overreaching federal regulations. The Administration of Elections Congress Congress has the power to set the time, place, and manner of congressional and presidential elections. Congress has the power to set the time, place, and manner of congressional and presidential elections. Congress has chosen the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year for congressional elections, with the presidential election being held the same day every fourth year. Congress has chosen the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year for congressional elections, with the presidential election being held the same day every fourth year.States States determine the details of the election of thousands of State and local officials. States determine the details of the election of thousands of State and local officials. Most States provide for absentee voting, for voters who are unable to get to their regular polling places on election day. Some States within the last few years have started to allow voting a few days before election day to increase voter participation. Most States provide for absentee voting, for voters who are unable to get to their regular polling places on election day. Some States within the last few years have started to allow voting a few days before election day to increase voter participation.

27. Money and Elections

28. Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money Candidates Wealthy supporters Small contributors Temporary fund-raising organizations Nonparty groups such as PACs (political action committees) Nonparty groups such as PACs (political action committees) Government “matching funds” Sources of Funding

29. Regulating Campaign Financing The Federal Election Campaign Act (amendments) of 1974 was passed in response to the Watergate scandal The Federal Election Campaign Act (amendments) of 1974 was passed in response to the Watergate scandal For Presidential elections For Presidential elections Created Federal Election Commission (FEC) – 6 bipartisan members serve on the FECCreated Federal Election Commission (FEC) – 6 bipartisan members serve on the FEC Government provides matching fundsGovernment provides matching funds Limits campaign spending (if receiving federal matching funds)Limits campaign spending (if receiving federal matching funds) Must disclose all contributions/expendituresMust disclose all contributions/expenditures Limits contributionsLimits contributions Individuals may contribute $1,000 to a campaign Individuals may contribute $1,000 to a campaign PACs may contribute $5,000 to a campaign PACs may contribute $5,000 to a campaign Individuals may contribute $20,000 to a political party’s national committee Individuals may contribute $20,000 to a political party’s national committee

30. The Federal Election Commission The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces: the timely disclosure of campaign finance information the timely disclosure of campaign finance information limits on campaign contributions limits on campaign contributions limits on campaign expenditures limits on campaign expenditures provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns

31. Political Action Committees (PACs) Number of PACs greatly increased after passage of FECA in 1974 (to avoid the FECA requirements) Number of PACs greatly increased after passage of FECA in 1974 (to avoid the FECA requirements) PACs are organizations designed to contributes funds to political campaigns and avoid FECA guidelines (For example, labor unions cannot contribute to campaigns but the Political Actions Committee for a steelworkers union can contribute) PACs are organizations designed to contributes funds to political campaigns and avoid FECA guidelines (For example, labor unions cannot contribute to campaigns but the Political Actions Committee for a steelworkers union can contribute)

32. Loopholes in the Law “More loophole than law…” — Lyndon Johnson Hard Money – money given directly to a candidates campaign Hard Money – money given directly to a candidates campaign Soft money—money given to State and local party organizations for “party-building activities” that is filtered to presidential or congressional campaigns. $500 million was given to campaigns in this way in 2000. Soft money—money given to State and local party organizations for “party-building activities” that is filtered to presidential or congressional campaigns. $500 million was given to campaigns in this way in 2000. Independent campaign spending—a person unrelated and unconnected to a candidate or party can spend as much money as they want to benefit or work against candidates. (like the “Swiftboat” ads against Kerry) Independent campaign spending—a person unrelated and unconnected to a candidate or party can spend as much money as they want to benefit or work against candidates. (like the “Swiftboat” ads against Kerry) Issue ads—take a stand on certain issues in order to criticize or support a certain candidate without actually mentioning that person’s name. Issue ads—take a stand on certain issues in order to criticize or support a certain candidate without actually mentioning that person’s name.